Former student details alleged abuse by coach at Saskatoon school

(WARNING: This story contains details that may be disturbing to some readers)

A former student at Legacy Christian Academy who came forward to police with allegations of sexual abuse involving the Saskatoon school’s former athletic director and coach said she’s relieved to learn he’s been charged.

CKOM is not naming the woman because of the nature of the charges and because she was a minor at the time the abuse allegedly occurred.

On Thursday, Saskatoon police announced that 46-year-old Aaron Benneweis, now a resident of Edmonton, has been charged with sexual assault and sexual exploitation of a minor while in the position of trust or authority. He turned himself in on Jan. 31, police said, and has since been released with a court date set for next month.

The assaults allegedly happened between 2008 and 2012 when the woman was between the ages of 13 and 17. She said she initially came forward in 2013, but no charges were laid at that time.

The woman said she came forward to police a second time with more information on Aug. 10, 2022, after a number of former students at the school reported allegations of abuse.

“When the original article about the school came out, I knew immediately deep down that this was what I was supposed to jump on to get justice for myself,” she said.

She said the abuse began on her 13th birthday when she was starting Grade 8. She said what began with uncomfortable looks from Benneweis progressed to winks in the hallways and then calls into the athletic director’s office.

“Too much time in his office with the door closed,” she said. “It would be, ‘Meet me in a room’ in a building on the church side that wasn’t being used. In a back closet with the door closed.”

The two also met away from school property in a van, she said.

“Our first kiss happened in the school van in a different high school parking lot, then (it was) back to his house. It was a very slow progression,” said the woman.

“It was very textbook grooming.”

The physical contact soon intensified, and although she said the two did not have intercourse, she recalled at least two occasions when he wore a condom.

“He had me on his bed, in his bedroom, in his house, while his wife and kids were gone and he had me down to my bra and underwear and he would be making out with me, all over me, laying on top of me, playing with my bra clasp,” she said.

The woman said she felt a deep sense of relief Thursday when she heard Benneweis was arrested and charged. She said she came forward and is speaking about the details to raise awareness that there is help and services are available to those who’ve suffered abuse.

“Becoming a mother to a daughter was one of the biggest things that lit a fire,” she added. “That maternal instinct was activated. Also, the sharp reality that this behaviour is not uncommon.”

She said she believes there are too many cases of sexual abuse going unreported.

“I also wanted to do this, to be a voice, in case there’s other people that just needed somebody else to step up first. There’s a lot of voices to be heard,” she said.

“I just want to help bring courage to people.”

The alleged victim is part of a class-action lawsuit seeking millions of dollars in damages from 22 individuals – including Benneweis – affiliated with Mile Two Church and Legacy Christian Academy.